Abstract [en]

When going through a stem cell transplantation a patient is forced to undergo protective isolation to inhibit risk of opportunistic infections related to the low leucocyte count as a result of aggressive pre-transplant chemotherapy treatment. Protective isolation has shown to have an impact on patient experiences during treatment and the aim of this study is to elucidate experiences of protective isolation of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and to deduce patient perceptions of the role of nurses in protective isolation care. The presented study was performed as a mixed qualitative and quantitative survey at a hematopoietic ward in Sweden. Results were analyzed by Mayring (2000) and by descriptive frequency charts and show that patients in protective isolation experience alienation, necessity, safety and anxiety with regards to their protective situation. Considering the role of nurses patients perceive their role to be attendant, informant and acting as an executioner of medical implementations. To ensure best possible care consideration needs to be taken regarding patient experiences and in doing so nurses are equipped with tools when caring for the patient in isolated care.